They all sat quietly as tears streamed down Tori’s cheeks. Obran wondered if he should go comfort her but he felt ashamed. Tori had been subjected to such vile rumors because of him and although he cared and felt a connection to her, he knew it was nonsense that anyone could believe it could be anything more than friendship.
“If we agree to follow your plan we must get a few things straight, your highness,” Obran said.
Obran wasn't sure if he trusted Gaius but he wanted to hear him out.
“What is it, gremlin?” Gaius said.
“Call him Obran,” Tori said. “He has a name and fought to save your kingdom, fought to save Roma.”
Now Gaius looked embarrassed. He was too young to have fought in the war and perhaps it bothered him that others had fought and died to save Roma while he was safe in the castle.
“What else do you need to know, Obran,?” Gaius said.
“Do you have any idea who might be involved in your father’s poisoning?” Obran said.
“No, but I know Tori had nothing to do with it,” Gaius said. “I wasn’t really sure about you but Collatinus told me it was my father’s order that you both leave and honestly I don’t know why elves would want to hurt her.”
“Those elves wanted to kidnap her, not kill her,” Obran said.
Gaius sighed, “That’s why getting her back to the castle is so important.”
“You know you both aren’t as smart as you think,” Tori said. “First, I didn’t say I would marry you, Gaius and Obran, what about everyone else? What would happen to you all if the King dies.”
“They’d have to stay away from Roma,” Obran said. “It would probably not be safe for any of them in the capital but I would go with you back to Roma.”
Obran remembered his land, his gremlin burrow, and helping Zico and Mara with their stand, about how much Erkin loved to study with Tomas. Even Katrina passed his thoughts. Wouldn’t it be great to work with her too—selling mutton, cheese, and wool in the capital. Wouldn’t it be great to just go back to normal.
“She can’t go back...not yet,” Obran said.
“What?” Gaius said. “I thought we agreed.”
“I didn’t,” Tori said. “Just listen to him, Gaius?”
“Whoever poisoned your father is still at Roma. If they have allies and contacts at court you and Tori could still be in danger. We should get Tori to safety and then worry about drawing them out or wait for your father to get well. I’m sure that’s what Collatinus is doing, investigating. Afterwards if Tori wants to marry you and stay here I will do anything I can to help her. I am still her praetorian guard after all,” Obran said.
“So your plan is just to wait and run, wait and hide?” Gaius said.
“He’s right, Gaius. If they hurt can hurt your father then surely I won’t be safe in the castle or outside the castle with praetorians and elves hunting me and I won’t marry anyone with a knife to my throat,” Tori said.
Gaius sat motionless. He looked unsure, like a teenager in over his head which is exactly what he was; Gaius probably had doubts about everyone in the castle too and Tori, the girl he loved, had abandoned him in his our of need without even saying goodbye. Now he was receiving advice from the gremlin she had run away with. It was a lot to handle and Obran almost felt sorry for him.
“I could go with you then. If you don’t want to marry now I can go with you to Genoa or even to Carthagio...” Gaius said.
“What?” Tori said.
Obran gripped his sword tighter.
“My darling,” Gaius said. “I know you are still unsure, but I know everyone will welcome our union and we still have a peace treaty with Carthagio.”
“What !? Who would go?” Obran said.
“Me and Tori and my best friend, Gripps. I’ve known him since I was a child and trust him completely and you can accompany us if Tori wishes it.”
“I wish it,” Tori said.
It was a lot to take in. But he didn't want Tori outside his protection or worse, alone with Gaius. Don't be jealous you idiot, he thought.
“Okay, we’ll all go to Genoa,” Obran said. “Once we are there and we meet Armenus we can decide the rest.”
A few trained soldiers would help on their voyage especially if there was war in the north but Tori sat looking unsure.
"Gaius….okay....we will travel up north but I will decide who and when I marry, not you, the King or my father,” Tori said.
“Fair enough, my dear,” Gaius said.
But the peaceful mood didn’t last long. Obran heard someone running up the stairs and a voice cried out as someone banged on the door.
“Sir, I saw a fae outside,” a man said. “Are you okay?”
“Was this your plan?” Gaius said as he drew his sword.
Obran threw his dagger at the candle, striking below the wick and leaving them all in the dark.
“No, don’t hurt him, Obran,” Tori cried out as she rushed in front of Gaius, trying to shield him but Obran didn’t attack; he merely wanted to prevent Gaius from attacking him.
“Elissa, let go,” Gaius said in the darkness.
“Obran, Obran, are you there?” Tori said.
She hugged Gaius tightly as he struggled to get her away from him.
“Elissa, please let go,” Gaius said.
Obran didn’t answer. Whoever was at the door was now trying to open it. Obran crouched in a corner unsure what to do. He wouldn’t risk attacking and hurting Tori but he knew now was his best chance to subdue Gaius. Apparently Mara had the same idea; she flew into the dark room towards Obran.
“Finish him and we’ll take the other one together when he comes in,” Mara whispered but Tori heard her.
“Mara, don’t do anything. We are all okay, I swear. Turn on the candles please,” Tori cried out.
“It’s okay, Mara. Give them some light,” Obran said.
“What about Zico?” Mara said.
“He’s okay and the prince wants to help. You have my word,” Obran said.
“Okay…” Mara said. “You better be right.”
Mara flew to the center of the room by the ceiling and shined her wings, lighting the room better than half a dozen candles could.
“Everyone stand down and put away your swords,” Tori said.
Tori let go of Gaius and stood between him and Obran.
“Can you tell your friends we are okay,” Obran said as he sheathed his blade.
Gaius sheathed his sword and walked over to the door.
“Gripps, I’m going to open the door. Everything is fine, okay. Don't do anything foolish,” Gaius said.
“Yes, sir,” Gripps said.
Gaius opened the door as Tori lit several candles. A young man with auburn hair and entered.
“Elissa, this is my close friend and confidant, Agrippa,” Gaius said.243Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2CvsJ1OZO
